Archive for February, 2010
West Virginia Legislature tries to trump the Constitution
MetroNews
By Hoppy Kercheval
February 26, 2010
When it comes to campaign spending laws the West Virginia Legislature never seems to learn. Twice it has passed laws aimed at controlling election spending and both times they have been struck down by the courts as unconstitutional.
Now, lawmakers are at it again. This year a group of Democrats is [...]
Judiciary panel OKs appeals court plan
The Register-Herald
By Mannix Porterfield
February 25, 2010
CHARLESTON — A proposed intermediate court of appeals, assuring every West Virginian a day before the bench, cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee after a lengthy explanation Thursday.
While the Supreme Court has disparaged the idea as unneeded, the Senate panel moved ahead, at least to get the debate started.
Earlier, Chairman Jeffrey [...]
Movement for Intermediate Court Bill
By WV MetroNews
February 25, 2010
Legislation that would create an intermediate appeals court in West Virginia is moving at the State Capitol with just a couple of weeks remaining in the regular legislative session.
The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved the bill on Thursday.
Charleston Attorney George Carenbauer, who is representing the Business and Industry Council at the [...]
Judicial changes proposed at Legislature
The Associated Press
By Lawrence Messina
February 24, 2010
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — From revamping Supreme Court elections to raising the bar for county magistrates, West Virginia lawmakers are advancing a number of proposals this session to change the state’s judicial branch.
The House of Delegates unanimously passed one bill Wednesday that would allow for special courts in the state’s [...]
West Virginia needs a real right of appeal
By Jan Vineyard
Charleston Daily Mail
February 24, 2010
The West Virginia Business and Industry Council strongly supports Senate Bill 589, introduced by Senate Judiciary Chairman Jeff Kessler, D-Marshall.
This legislation would provide for an intermediate court of appeals in West Virginia and offers businesses and individuals the automatic right to appeal judgments against them.
We applaud Sen. Kessler and [...]
House Judiciary Committee Endorses Business Court Bill
February 19, 2010
CHARLESTON – The House of Delegates is moving forward with legislation to establish a business court in West Virginia.
“By creating this court division, West Virginia is sending a clear, strong message that this state is a welcoming environment for businesses,” Speaker Rick Thompson said. “In the 15 states that have business courts, there [...]
CALA criticizes Ketchum’s change of heart on need for new appellate court
The West Virginia Record
By Chris Dickerson
February 18, 2010
CHARLESTON — A statewide judicial reform group is criticizing state Supreme Court Justice Menis Ketchum for switching gears on the need for an intermediate appellate court.
During his 2008 campaign for the Supreme Court, Ketchum said West Virginia needed an intermediate appellate court. But during a Feb. 9 budget [...]
New court of appeals not likely to advance
The Register-Herald
By Mannix Porterfield
February 18, 2010
CHARLESTON — Senate Judiciary Chairman Jeffrey Kessler is suffering no illusions about seeing an intermediate court of appeals ready for business by spring time.
Fact is, shortly after his bill was introduced, Kessler voiced doubts it would clear the two chambers before this session ends March 13.
“I’m not unrealistic as to [...]
The Right to Appeal
MetroNews
State Capitol
February 15, 2010
Despite the State Supreme Court saying an intermediate appeals court is not needed, the Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee plans on introducing a bill that would establish such a court.
“There will be a bill introduced by me that does exactly that. We will give deference and review to what the Court [...]
Candidates say court needs change, energy
Charleston Daily Mail
March 28, 2008
By Justin D. Anderson
Menis Ketchum and Margaret Workman, two Democratic candidates for state Supreme Court, say they have different fixes for the drop in the court’s work product cited by a fellow candidate.
Ketchum wants another level of judiciary for the state while Workman believes the court needs an energy boost.
Bob Bastress, [...]
